CARE OF PATIENT WITH A GASTRIC-JEJUNAL FEEDING TUBESome patients may benefit from the use of an enteral feeding tube
that provides access to a specific section of the small intestine called
the jejunum. A Gastric-Jejunal feeding tube provides access to the
jejunum for feeding, while also providing access to the stomach for
medications and decompression.
Halyard Health makes two types of GJ feeding tubes:
MIC* GJ
MIC-KEY* GJ
CONFIRMATION OF POSITIONOnly your physician can confirm GJ tube placement. This
confirmation of the tube position is performed at any time by your
physician, and should be performed at the time of initial placement
and upon any tube replacement.
MIC* GJ TUBE
Key Terms
(A) Gastric Decompression/Medication Port
(B) Jejunal Feeding Port
(C) Balloon Inflation Port
(D) External Retention Ring
(E) Skin Level Centimeter Markings
(F) Retention Balloon
(G) Gastric Exit Ports
(H) Radiopaque Stripe
(I) Jejunal Exit Ports
Upon initial placement, patient or caretaker should note the skin
level centimeter marking on the tube. Prior to each tube feeding
or administration of medication or water through a GJ tube, the
placement of the tube should be checked to ensure that the tube
has not migrated.
I
A
B
CDE
FG
H
2
NOTE: Do not rotate the external retention ring or tube. This may
cause the tube to kink and may cause a loss of position in
the jejunum.
Slight adjustment of the external bolster may be performed to
prevent skin pressure/irritation, but care should be taken to prevent
dislodgement or rotation of the tube itself. The external retention ring
should rest 2-3 mm above the skin.
MIC-KEY* GJ TUBE
Key Terms
(A) Balloon Inflation Port
(B) Jejunal Feeding Port
(C) Gastric Decompression/Medication Port
(D) Skin Level Bolster
(E) Retention Balloon
(F) Gastric Exit Ports
(G) Radiopaque Stripe
(H) Jejunal Exit Ports
Upon initial placement, a
measurement of the stoma will be
made and a specific “stoma length”
MIC-KEY* tube will be selected
by your physician. The skin level
bolster should rest comfortably
2-3 mm above the skin. If the
bolster appears to fit too tightly, please contact your healthcare
provider.
NOTE: Do not rotate the external bolster. This may cause the tube
to kink and/or may cause a loss of position in the jejunum.
The general orientation of the external bolster against the body
should be maintained.
B
CDEF
G H
A
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MIC-KEY* EXTENSION SET ASSEMBLY FOR JEJUNAL FEEDING1. Open the feeding port cover (A) located at the top of the MIC-KEY*
GJ Feeding Tube.
2. Insert the MIC-KEY* Extension Set into the port labeled “Jejunal” by
aligning the lock and key connector. Align the black orientation line
on the extension set with the corresponding black orientation line
on the jejunal feeding port.
3. Lock the set into the jejunal feeding port by pushing in and
rotating the connector clockwise until a slight resistance is felt
(approximately 3/4 turn).
NOTE: Do not rotate the connector past the stop point.
4. When feeding is complete, remove the extension set by rotating the
connector counter-clockwise until the black line on the set aligns
with the black line on the jejunal feeding port.
5. Remove the set and cap the gastric and jejunal ports with the
attached port cover.
CAUTION: Never connect the jejunal port to suction. Do not
measure residuals from the jejunal port.
Black orientation line
A
4
MIC-KEY* EXTENSION SET ASSEMBLY FOR GASTRIC DECOMPRESSION1. Open the feeding port cover (A) located at the top of the MIC-KEY*
GJ Feeding Tube.
2. Insert the MIC-KEY* Bolus Extension Set into the port labeled
“Gastric” by aligning the lock and key connector. Align the black
orientation line on the set with the corresponding black orientation
line on the gastric port.
3. Lock the set into the gastric decompression/medication port by
pushing in and rotating the connector clockwise until a slight
resistance is felt (approximately 3/4 turn).
NOTE: Do not rotate the connector past the stop point.
4. Remove the extension set by rotating the connector counter-
clockwise until the black line on the set aligns with the black line
on the gastric port.
5. Remove the set and cap the gastric and jejunal ports with the
attached port cover.
CAUTION: Do not use continuous or high intermittent suction.
High suction could collapse the tube or cause
stomach injury.
A
5
MIC* AND MIC-KEY* TUBE CLOGGINGTube clogging is generally caused by:
• Poor flushing techniques
• Failure to flush after measurement of gastric residuals
• Inappropriate administration of medication
• Pill fragments
• Viscous medications
• Thick formulas, such as concentrated or enriched formulas that
are generally thicker and more likely to obstruct tubes
• Formula contamination that leads to coagulation
• Reflux of gastric or intestinal contents up the tube
MIC* AND MIC-KEY* TIPS FOR AVOIDING CLOGGINGProper tube flushing is the best way to avoid clogging and maintain
tube patency.
• Use room temperature water for tube flushing.
• Use a 30 to 60 ml catheter tip syringe. Do not use smaller size
syringes as this can increase pressure on the tube and potentially
rupture smaller tubes.
• Do not use excessive force to flush the tube. Excessive force can
perforate the tube and can cause injury to the gastrointestinal tract.
• The amount of water will depend on the patient’s needs, clinical
condition, and type of tube, but the average volume ranges from 10
to 50 ml for adults, and 3 to 10 ml for infants. Hydration status also
influences the volume used for flushing feeding tubes. Consult your
physician for instructions on flushing volumes.
• Flush the feeding tube with water every 4-6 hours during
continuous feeding, anytime the feeding is interrupted, before and
after every intermittent feeding, or at least every 8 hours if the tube
is not being used.
• Administer each medication individually.
• Flush the feeding tube before and after medication administration
and between medications to prevent the medication from interacting
with formula, which could potentially cause the tube to clog. Never
crush enteric-coated medication or mix medication with formula.
• Avoid using acidic irrigants such as cranberry juice and cola beverages
to flush feeding tubes. When combined with formula proteins, their
acidic quality may actually contribute to tube clogging.
• Flush the feeding tube after checking gastric residuals.
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TO UNCLOG A TUBE1. Make sure that the feeding tube is not kinked or clamped off.
2. If the clog is visible above the skin surface, gently massage or “milk”
the tube between fingers to break up the clog.
3. Place a catheter tip syringe filled with warm water into the
appropriate adapter or lumen of the tube and gently pull back on
then depress the plunger to dislodge the clog.
4. If the clog remains, repeat step #3. Gentle suction alternating with
syringe pressure will relieve most obstructions.
5. Do not use cranberry juice, cola drinks, meat tenderizer or
chymotrypsin, as they can actually cause clogs or create adverse
reactions in some patients.
6. If this fails, consult with the physician.
7. If the clog is stubborn and cannot be removed, the tube may require
replacement. Consult your physician.
NOTE: To avoid damaging the tube, do not insert foreign objects
into the tube.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION1. Use liquid medications intended for enteral use whenever possible.
2. Consult the pharmacist to determine if it is safe to crush solid
medication and mix with water. If safe, pulverize the solid
medication into a fine powder form and dissolve the powder in
water before administering through the feeding tube. Never crush
enteric-coated medication or mix medication with formula.
3. Use a catheter tip syringe to flush the tube with the prescribed
amount of water after each medication. Refer to previous
instruction on tips to avoid clogging.
NOTE: Certain medications such as lansoprazole delayed-release
orally-disintegrating tablets can potentially block feeding
tubes and syringes. Even if the tablets do disintegrate, they
can later form clumps.
4. Do not insert medication into the balloon.
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BALLOON MAINTENANCECheck the water volume in the balloon once a week (tip: for best
results wait 1 hour after feeding).
1. While holding the tube in place, insert a luer slip syringe into the
balloon inflation port and withdraw the water (A luer lock syringe
may make this more difficult. A luer slip syringe is recommended).
2. If the amount is less than recommended or prescribed, refill the
balloon with the recommended and prescribed amount of water.
3. Over-inflation can obstruct the lumen or decrease balloon life and
under-inflation will not secure the tube properly, so be sure to use
the recommended amount of water. Refer to Instructions For Use
for more detail.
Note: Refill the balloon using sterile or distilled water, not air or
saline. Saline can crystallize and clog the balloon valve
or lumen and air may seep out and cause the balloon
to collapse.
4. Be aware as you deflate the balloon there may be some gastric
contents that can leak from around the tube.
5. If the balloon is ruptured, it will need to be replaced. Secure
the tube into position using tape, then contact the physician
for instructions.
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DAILY CARE & MAINTENANCE CHECKLISTWHILE THE STOMA SITE IS INITIALLY HEALING• Cleanse the site with normal saline three times daily to remove
the small amount of mucus that normally accumulates around
the stoma.
CLEAN THE STOMA SITE (SKIN AREA SURROUNDING FEEDING TUBE)• After the stoma heals, a thorough cleansing with mild soap and
water is best.
• Use a circular motion moving from the tube outwards.
• Clean sutures, external bolsters and any stabilizing devices using a
cotton-tipped applicator.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry well.
CLEAN THE EXTERNAL PORTION OF THE FEEDING TUBE• Use warm water and mild soap being careful not to pull or
manipulate the tube excessively.
• Rinse thoroughly, dry well.
• Do not rotate the external bolster. This may cause the tube to kink
and possibly lose position.
CLEAN THE JEJUNAL, GASTRIC AND BALLOON PORTS• Use a cotton-tipped applicator or soft cloth to remove all residual
formula and medication.
VERIFY PLACEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL BOLSTER• Verify that the external retention ring rests 2-3 mm above the skin,
or for a MIC-KEY* tube, that the device rests comfortably 2-3 mm
above the skin.
• Confirm that centimeter markings at skin level remain consistent.
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DAILY CARE & MAINTENANCE CHECKLISTCONSULT A PHYSICIAN IF:The stoma site is uncharacteristically sore or painful,
or if abdominal pain, discomfort, tenderness or distension occur.
The appearance of the stoma site suggests signs of infection or if the
stoma site is tender or distended.
Abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal tenderness,
abdominal distension, dizziness or fainting, unexplained fever,
unusual amount of bleeding through or around the tube.
The stoma site appears to be leaking, oozing, bleeding or otherwise
appears abnormal.
The tube appears in any way damaged, broken or
otherwise adulterated.
Any damage to the tube or ports is evident or if leakage appears at the
site of any of the ports.
The centimeter markings on the MIC* GJ tube at skin level suggest
that a significant change (>1 cm) has occurred to the device
positioning. Or if you have MIC-KEY* bolster, if it fits too tightly,
irritating or indenting into skin.
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Your Gastric-Jejunal Feeding Tube Information
Name _____________________________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________________
Physician __________________________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________________
Other medical professional _________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________________
Placement date ____________________________________________________________
Tube type _________________________________________________________________
Tube replacement dates ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
Tube specifications
French size ___________________ Length in centimeters ______________________
Stoma length in centimeters _______________________________________________
Balloon volume _____________________ Lot number _________________________
MIC-KEY* continuous feed extension set (5 per case), change every 2 weeks.
Order# ____________________________________________________________________
MIC-KEY* bolus feed extension set (5 per case), change every 2 weeks.
Order# ____________________________________________________________________
Formula preparation
Type of formula ___________________________________________________________
Amount of formula ________________________________________________________
Feeding times __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
Amount of each feeding ____________________________________________________
Amount of water __________________________________________________________
Pump setting or flow rate __________________________________________________
Additional ingredients _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Blenderized table food: follow the doctor’s instructions.
Flush with _________ ml water before and after every feeding.
Mix well and refrigerate. Follow your medical professional’s instructions.
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If you have any additional questions about your device,
consult your medical professional, or call Halyard*
Customer Care at 1-844-HALYARD (1-844-425-9273)
in the United States or visit our websites:
Feeding Tube User & Caregiver Support:
www.mic-key.com
KNOWLEDGE NETWORK* Accredited Education
In-Service Training and Technical Support
Credentialed Sales Representatives
Tools & Best Practices
Clinical Research
Commitment to Excellence
For more information for clinicians and
product code ordering information, please visit:
www.halyardhealth.com
Call 1-844-HALYARD (1-844-425-9273)
in the United States and Canada.
Distributed in the USA by Halyard Sales, LLC, Alpharetta, GA 30004
In USA, please call 1-844-425-9273 • halyardhealth.com
Halyard Health, Inc., 5405 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004 USA
*Registered Trademark or Trademark of Halyard Health, Inc., or its affiliates. © HYH 2015-01-13
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